Hurley Surprised to Learn Dogs Not Allowed in the Courthouse

Rep. Julia Hurley, R-Lenoir City, was asked to leave the Roane County Courthouse last week because she had a dog with her. Hurley, who says she simply didn't know dogs weren't allowed in the courthouse, says the 11-pound dog is a service animal and therefore permitted in public places according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The dog was already registered as a service dog when she adopted it, she points out, saying that's why she got the dog so she could take it to the hospital to visit cancer patients. WATE reports